How to use tea balls?

Dear Kamla,

I just purchased a pair of tea ball with holder, stainless steel.
I haven't used it before. can somebody tell me how to use this one???
I think I need to add the tea powder into this t.ball and drop it into the hot water.
its got a hook at one end. shld i use it only in kettles.. how about dropping it in sauce pans while boiling water??? would lilke to know how you all use it.

Love,

Dear Meena,

I have these tea balls too.
You are right. The tea leaves should be placed in the little ball and boiling water is poured into the mug or teapot into which you have placed the tea ball. The purpose of the hook is to hang the chain on to the rim of the mug or pot so it can easily be lifted out. Generally, tea is not boiled in water ....the way we do in India. Hence, the tea ball is not quite suitable for that purpose. One can I guess, but it will create a lot of rattling noise.... metal ball in a metal pan?!
These balls are ideally suited to brew the tea.
Hope that helps:)

L, Kamla

Dear Meena,
This is in addition to what Kamla has written.
Now I feel tea-bags have replaced these tea-balls in India !
So I use it as a "spice bag". When you are pressurecooking channa, keep some tealeaves in this & boil it along with channa. The deep colour is imparted nicely. Also for some soups, I crush green chilli-ginger coarsely, pack in this & boil with the vegetables. The aroma thus got is very nice.
Love,
Chithra.

thanks Kamla.
we are basically coffee lovers.
past 2 yrs started with tea but were using only tea bags.
now, i feel lilke trying the diff teas with so many diff flavours thats available in the market - from organice to herbs to diff flavours, need to try all of them.
I can understand you can't boil it in a sauce pan but any particular brand that you use at your place.....

Dear Meena,

Kamla has given enough info. Tea balls i think are not suited for the way we make tea in India. But yes they are wonderful , if you make tea , using a tea pot or mug. Unless you don't mind the clanking sound!!

Vandhana

Back again Meena,
I am not sure what Herbal Teas you get in India. But my favorites here are : Raspberry tea, Orange Cranberry , Lemon Zinger ( hint of ginger ) , Chamomille. Of course all Herbal teas are drunk " on the rocks" . No mixing with Milk please .
I think I will get you samples when I come to India next.

Vandhana

Dear Chitra,

I think I'm going backwards but would like to use the tea balls now more for Deepu's sake. she picked it up while we were shopping at lifestyle. she found it cute & wanted to buy it right away.
the otehr uses sounds great. I shall start using it right away.
thanks. chitra, now which brand of tea leaf do you use?????

Love,

Dear Meena,
I use Lipton's Yello Label tea bags. In this you get lemon flavour etc as well.I also buy Tetley's alternately - English Breakfast.
Love,
Chithra.

Dear Vandhana,

once while shopping on Indiranagar, I had a chance to sample diff flavors and I remember one was peach flavored. I shall note down the names and let you know. I'm not sure of the names. while in Bangkok, I had this chance to taste organic tea and it was diff and mild - I liked it very much. Hubby too loves black tea, black coffee, etc. so, just want to taste all flavors available. I'm transforming to a chai lover.
I'll let you know the names as and when I get them.
once a friend send us flavored tea powder from Sri lanka, that had a lemon grass kinda flavour...
your favorties sound exotic & oh, my God, I shall hold a microscope and look around if I can find any of those names.

thanks dear for your help.

Love,

Chitra, I've tried Lipton lemon flavoured tea.
will check out the tetley's soon.

thanks for your help.

Love,